Adjustable support arm

Abstract

An adjustable support arm capable of providing users with a wide range of height, depth, tilt, and swivel options. The adjustable support arm may comprise an arm assembly releasably mounted to a base assembly. In further embodiments, the adjustable support arm may also comprise an articulating joint connected to the arm assembly, and an accessory bracket assembly connected to the articulating joint. A quick-release joint comprising a spring-loaded pivot latch may be utilized to releasably connect the arm assembly to the base assembly. To dampen side-to-side movement of the arm assembly, the adjustable support arm may also comprise a friction cartridge assembly comprising a taper-lock bushing and one or more set screws. A ring-shaped, adjustable panning insert can be coupled to the arm assembly to restrict the range of side-to-side motion of the support arm. The adjustable arm can further comprise a quick-release accessory fastening mechanism for easy removal and attachment of a mounted object (e.g., an electronic display, keyboard, or other item) to the support arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable support arm comprising:
 a) a base assembly;   b) an arm assembly;   c) an adjustable panning insert positioned between the arm assembly and the base assembly, wherein the adjustable panning insert comprises first and second projections extending from a second end of the adjustable panning insert, wherein the first projection is spaced apart from the second projection; and   d) a quick-release joint for releasably connecting the arm assembly to the base assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 1 , wherein the quick-release joint comprises:
 i) a latch;   ii) an axle extending through an aperture formed in the latch to pivotally connect the latch to the base assembly, the axle defining a fulcrum about which the latch pivots;   iii) a spring for biasing the latch into engagement with a connector shaft.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 2 , wherein the base assembly comprises a housing adapted to receive the adjustable panning insert. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 3 , wherein the base assembly further comprises a bearing positioned within the housing of the base assembly and operatively engaging the connector shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable panning insert comprises: first and second splines positioned in a stacked orientation around an inner wall of the adjustable panning insert. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 5 , wherein the housing of the base assembly further comprises a third spline for mating with either the first or second splines of the adjustable panning insert. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 5 , wherein the housing of the base assembly further comprises a third spline for mating with either the first or second splines of the adjustable panning insert. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 5 , wherein the first projection is spaced apart from the second projection along a circumference of the second end of the adjustable panning insert by approximately 90° as measured in a first direction along the circumference. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 1 , wherein the arm assembly comprises:
 a) a central chamber;   b) a groove adjacent to the central chamber; and   c) a stop positioned within the groove.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 9 , wherein the arm assembly comprises a dynamic arm, wherein the dynamic arm comprises a parallelogram linkage having a first end pivotally attached to a lower bracket and a second end pivotally attached to an upper bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises a mounting plate connected to the arm assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises an accessory bracket assembly releasably attached to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 12 , wherein the accessory bracket assembly comprises: a central bracket; a frame disposed around the central bracket; and at least one accessory mount attached to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 13 , wherein the accessory bracket assembly further comprises a first accessory support having a first end coupled to the accessory mount. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises an articulating joint connected to the arm assembly, the articulating joint comprising:
 a) a swivel ring pivotally attached to the arm assembly;   b) a tilt ring attached to the swivel ring; and   c) a mounting plate pivotally attached to the tilt ring.   
     
     
         16 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting plate further comprises a fastening mechanism, the fastening mechanism comprising: a spring-loaded latch; and a hook protruding from a front side of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable support arm comprising:
 a) a base assembly;   b) an arm assembly comprising: (i) a first arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is releasably coupled to the base assembly; (ii) a second arm releasably coupled to the second end of the first arm, the second arm comprising a parallelogram linkage having a first end pivotally attached to a lower bracket and a second end pivotally attached to an upper bracket;   c) a first adjustable panning insert, wherein the first adjustable panning insert is positioned between the first arm and the base assembly to limit rotation of the first arm about the base assembly; and   d) a first quick-release joint, wherein the first quick-release joint releasably connects the first arm to the base assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 17 , wherein the quick-release joint comprises:
 i) a latch;   ii) an axle extending through an aperture formed in the latch to pivotally connect the latch to the base assembly, the axle defining a fulcrum about which the latch pivots;   iii) a spring for biasing the latch into engagement with a connector shaft.   
     
     
         19 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises: a second adjustable panning insert positioned between the second arm and the first arm to limit rotation of the second arm about the first arm; and a second quick-release joint releasably connecting the second arm to the first arm. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable support arm of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second adjustable panning inserts each comprise: first and second splines positioned in a stacked orientation around an inner wall of the adjustable panning insert; and first and second projections extending from a second end of the adjustable panning insert, wherein the first projection is spaced apart from the second projection.